I think this will take longer than poeple are really expecting it too too be honest.

Not making concessions, but more like lets just say that it was a mistake from watkins. Doesn't bother me. Over the course of the year I feel he will bring more influence to games at the right end. Like TVOC said, a GB international centre of ours made many defensive mistakes in his last few years at us. Lets not jump on the back of a youngster learning his way.

Making concessions isn't in our tool kits. *See mine and G1's constant friendly niggle over Lee Smith for further evidence. We can't both be right but we'll have a good try to bluster that we are.

Re : Watkins. As I've said before I don't have a problem with a 17 year old doing his level best in the 1st team. He has real potential. My problem is with the off season recruiting by Leeds that failed to solve a glaring problem at right centre.

All we have are stop gaps in Ablett (never a centre) Smith (untried and should be at full back or wing first) Watkins (too much to expect a 17 year old to perform week in week out at the required level even accepting the regular defensive mis-reads) and Gibson (had some potential but really is neither big enough or fast enough to command the spot.)

If Leeds have cap space (apparently so even if Eastwood were to belatedly arrive) and money in the bank then IMO they should use some of it sooner rather than later. Don't worry about contracts, players still change clubs when contracted, just ask Warrington, St Helens and Martin Gleeson.

Teams don't get any credit for finishing a gallant second while tying one hand behind their backs. Leeds have already failed to defend one trophy successfully and I don't want to see this season turn in to another 2005.

You can stop panicking TVOC.

By all accounts he's 18 today.

You don't really think that was a consideration at the time now do you?


I like your holistic approach to the game and it's one I generally share but I'd still like to see Leeds use all the resources at their disposal to stuff the rest of the competition where the sun don't shine.

Not winning the Championship for 32 years prior to 2004, enduring Wigan winning everything for years and the rise of the Bulls has probably got to me.

By rotating the positions your colourful antipodeans occupy over several seasons on two and three year contracts, allowing the youngsters time to develop and learn their trade. We're well into the process already, it's not like we're starting from scratch. Just occassionally a problem appears that needs solving. Failing to solve it is a problem.



None of them were coming for life. They were the colourful antipodeans that will still have contributed to the club during their stays both on and off the field. Clyde for example was an out and out Champion, how could a club not benefit from having him around?



Last year they thought it might be Anselme. They were right to identify the problem (caused by long term injuries) but failed to find the right option. When they realised it was no better than what they had already he didn't feature again.

Gilmour is a good example of a player capable of playing both positions but perhaps it highlights the dearth of quality available out there, when St Helens also claim to be operating with cap space to spare.

In Saints case it has nothing to do with the lack of quality available - they'd have to break the statutory minimum wage to employ an extra player with their remaining cap space